I walk past a purple bench every morning on my way to study at the library of the University of Malta. A bench embellished with the names of victims claimed by violent acts of domestic and gender-based violence.

This purple bench offers the simplest way in which those visiting University can be reminded of the tragedies that have occurred on this tiny rock in the middle of the Mediterranean. Tragedies that could have been prevented.

This bench is also a daily reminder that victims of domestic and gender-based violence are only survivors until the system fails them.

I am writing this today whilst keeping myself anonymous for the fear of experiencing such a tragedy myself should my identity be revealed. However, after almost a decade facing the Maltese courts without a shred of light appearing at the end of the tunnel, I cannot remain silent any longer.

Estimates published by WHO indicate that globally, about one in three women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Most of this violence being intimate partner violence.

Malta is definitely no exception to this.

The NSO release in April 2022 showed that in 2020, 2,919 persons experiencing domestic violence made use of services available within this area. Of these, 79 per cent were females.

However, we have no means to accurately measure the amounts of domestic abuse occurring behind closed doors, as reports of domestic violence remain extremely underreported, which is the perpetrator’s biggest advantage.

A lot of those fortunate enough to have never experienced such a negative experience tend to ask “why doesn’t the victim just leave the household and source of abuse?”

The answers to this question would not fit in this article, so I will only mention a few.

One of the most common reasons for not leaving the household include shame and guilt for “breaking up the family”, sometimes unfortunately imposed upon by those closest to the victim; fear of abandoning their children, and fear of what is to come.

And what is to come? A report to the police which remains unaddressed? Or worse, a police officer sending you back home and claiming you’re over-reacting about an argument?

Or possibly, making it to court whilst still having to reside with the perpetrator?

Not to mention, the biggest fear of all: the years in court waiting to crumple you up as you are forced to relive the traumatic experiences time and time again when witnessing in court. And unfortunately, if the survivor is immensely resilient, they may eventually become numb to these past experiences and end up fearing that the lack of emotion shown in testimony may be misconstrued as a lie.

Not to mention the financial vulnerability that the victim finds themselves in following abuse and major court expenses.

By now, you’re probably asking “What more is there to do?”

In 2019, WHO and UN Women published RESPECT Women – a framework for preventing violence against women aimed at policy makers.

The acronym RESPECT stands for one of seven strategies: strengthening relationship skills, empowering women, ensuring adequate, available and accessible support services, reducing poverty, creating enabling environments (schools, workplaces, public spaces), preventing child and adolescent abuse, and transforming attitudes, beliefs and norms.

Taking all of the above into consideration, I believe the most crucial aspect of addressing this issue requires the police force, policy makers and decision-making bodies to be proactive!

We mustn’t wait for a victim of domestic abuse to report several times before looking into the matter. We mustn’t allow court cases to take years and become an accomplice to the abuse and trauma.